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About this project

Join me on the "Wonderment" project -- a two month journey that melds public art, sculpture, performance, documentary photo and video, social analysis and the art of the roadside attraction. It will do this through a long journey along back roads and communities across This country with a large hand made and perfectly formed ball of hay on top of my car. Those supporting this will become a part of bringing a bit of wonder and delight to people in assorted locations across America. A well formed, fleeting and wobbly gift from Maine to the nation.

This project will be creatively documented through writings, sketches, a blog, photographs and videos, and participated with through social media.

The journey's route will go from Portland Maine to Portland Oregon and then returning through California, across the Southwest, the South and back to Maine. It will, with some deviations, roughly follow the route and spirit of John Steinbeck in his book “Travels with Charley: Searching for America”, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Steinbeck sought to re-acquaint himself with the nation and take the pulse of its people.

Traveling with Hay Ball offers ample opportunities to engage with communities and people in unforeseen ways. Out of this will be developed various bodies of work including a limited edition Artist's Book and travelogue; archival quality prints and photographs; and a video documentation working with Ramble Productions. The primary goal of the project however is the journey itself and the wonder and delight gathered and shared by this simple delightfully perplexing object on a car.

Mall Parking Lot, Portland, Maine

While simple delight is overarching and important for its own intrinsic value, the ability to take delight in the unknown and to embrace the idiosyncratic is a need equal to that of understanding and purpose. It is particularly so in times of stark conformity. To curiously stand out, to defy the norm and to do something for no apparent purpose is a healthy way of claiming identity. In our culture today, it is a gentle act of defiance.

One of Steinbeck's great disdains was our national homogenization. With the instantaneous internationalization of culture and commerce there is today a loss of uniqueness of place compounded to a degree Steinbeck could not have imagined. Despite these forces I expect that our intrinsic nature to challenge norms and to connect to place still exist. While the land may seem parched there is opportunity for new life. I would along the way explore where and how people are creatively challenging the forces of cultural expectation. Be this through creative businesses, activism, how lives are lived or simply by being a spectacle.

Another subtext to this journey is the act of connection and re-connection. It exists on the broad level, but also personally. I will be meeting with some people and visiting locations that have been profoundly important to me and greatly affected my life. As such there will be a personal sense of reconnection threaded throughout. Likewise there will be the challenge of new connections. There is an intentional openness to the journey. Embracing the unexpected encounters and coming to know the feelings of those I meet, I hope to find out where they are individually and perhaps where we collectively are going.

Multiple posings with the Hay Ball by the bay

By funding this project every supporter will also become in
various ways connected to it. Beyond some great collectible rewards, supporters will also receive the simple but profound satisfaction of knowing they
have helped allow someone somewhere a momentary smile, chuckle or a full
belly laugh about something that is at first perception perplexingly
pointless. They will also be updated on the progress of the trip, and will be a part of helping to shape the exact route and activities through sharing their thoughts and ideas.

Traveling
with The Hay Ball is something I have been doing for a few years around
Maine and New England. With every trip either to a different city or to
the supermarket it inevitably is a bit of an adventure producing
numerous smiles, conversations and insights. Having done this for some time locally, I have decided to take it on the road.

Why this and why now?

There
seems to be a need in these times for small curious occurrences that
are beyond the expected -- to make people wonder and smile -- and question and think.

In The Hay Ball Journey
there is a healthy nod to Steinbeck's travels and his populist
ideologies. To some degree this serves as a backdrop to this project. The Hay Ball journey seeks to meet America in the same fashion as
Steinbeck did, however it blends being the observer with being
the observed.

Traveling
with The Hay Ball is a gentle act of non-conformity seeking to create a
sense of momentary joy from the unfamiliar and inexplicable. I do not know what the result
of this will be on those that see it. I do however know that those that
see The Hay Ball smile, wonder, remember and say to others “Guess what I
saw?”

Eliot -- neighborhood philosopher, collector and yard artist

How did this idea emerge?

For
thirty years have I been making large sculptural works with hay. They
are monumental, mostly temporary, bound and woven forms, built or
assembled for museums and Contemporary Art Centers. As such they are
often very connected to the physical nature of the space. This work
can be seen at my web site www.shaughnessyart.com. This journey is different in how it is not connected to any one place. It is
less a display than an ongoing event. It is in a way being in a very long, yet very
short parade.

Traveling
with The Hay Ball came about rather simply. I had been working with
children making hay things at the Common Ground Fair in Unity Maine and
was asked to bring a sculpture up to have around the space.
While I usually do not have things to transport, it just so happened
that I had this hay ball in a crate that was shipped back from a Museum
in Florida. I needed however a way to get it to the fair. A truck was
going to pick it up. In classic fashion for some reason or another could not make it.
Now this was a museum piece, or so I then thought, but I decided to take a
leap of faith, throw artistic dignity to the wind, and strap it on to
the top of my car. If the hay blows off, I thought, I could always repair it.

As I was going down the highway it seemed to hold together
well and I gradually increased in both confidence and speed. At one
point however, I noticed a long cluster of cars following me but staying a good
bit behind. I was concerned that something was wrong but as far as I
could tell it was fine. Suddenly, one of the cars broke from the pack
and passed me. A young woman was leaning out of the passenger window
taking pictures. Then others did the same thing. It only got better.
People laughed and waved, gave me a thumbs up, children pointed and
teenagers cheered. Later that night on my trip home, the late night crew
at an all night drive through window burst into laughter and grabbed their phone cameras as I
drove up to the pick-up window.

People loved it.

From
this accidental beginning, I gradually ventured out for small trips and
casual drives about town. Each drive was a treat and new potentials and relevancies continued to be revealed. Then like anything delightful
they beckoned to be shared further.

Hay Ball at the all night ATM.

Is this Art?

Absolutely -- but barely, and with reservations.

Saying
“It is Art” is a quick and easy way of explaining, and too often
dismissing, without further investigation. So I like to shy away from
this right off. The reality is The Hay Ball is just what it is. A large
ball of hay in a shape hay should not hold, in a place it should not be,
and doing something it should not do, all at least seemingly without much
reason. It is a curious thing that has no apparent point. So yes it is
Art.

Beyond this it does carry a certain symbolism. The sphere is the shape that all substances take when all forces are applied equally. Hay is a quintessential material of the earth and those that work it. The idea of postcards, snap shots, travelogues and now videos, updates and eblasts etc. are longstanding and contemporary means of identifing and communicating our selves in a place and time. Within this project and with these there certainly is a dialogue. Much of the images seem to have Art Historical references. Out of this are new combined meanings and dialogues. The simple pursuit and sharing of delight though is reason enough.

So while this project embraces simple objectives of joy and holds and values the pursuit of the inexplicable it is not totally pointless.

Evening at the Convenience Store Portland, Maine

Fundamental
to this project is the embrace and value of the coincidental and
fleeting experience. In Portland, The Hay Ball it seems has become a
sighting. It is like a number of years ago there was a lovelorn moose
that periodically could be seen pining over a particular dairy cow out
alongside a field in Standish, Maine. People would go out of their way
to see if it might be there. Even school buses re-routed for the sake of the children getting a glimpse. When it was they would watch it and smile.
It was a simple but beguiling mystery, not understood but accepted, and
then upon going home, something to be shared.

Much
as this is a form of art that merges creative artistic disciplines, it
is also a form of comedy in that there is a common root in the
pursuit and distribution of humor. However, rather than pursuing the bellowing laugh to a
defined audience it seeks more the smile and giggle to a broader
unsuspecting public.

Are there other things you will be doing?

The
trip in and of itself, is the project. The encounters and situations
along the way are critical sub-passages. I have long come to understand
that the most powerful occurrences may also be the most fleeting and by
this, treasured. However, since I will be traveling only a few hundred
miles a day, if that, other gatherings will be made.

A
body of photographs will be developed. There are moments when The Hay
Ball is captured in context and makes for a wonderful graphic image. People are
also photographed with The Hay Ball. In some cases it is in the position
of a halo just behind someone's head emphasizing the individual as a
saint or angel. In others people are photographed posing in front of The
Hay Ball as if before a National Monument or like one of those
cardboard cutouts of the President.

There
will be a travel journal/book of photos and reflective writings and stories from the assorted situations,
encounters and thoughts gathered from people and places along the way.
The Hay Ball invites many varied encounters. Whether being mobbed by a bachelorette party roving between bars; posing at a local fair with Miss Maine and
Miss Outstanding Teen Maine; or being cheered on as it passes a bunch of young
boys sitting defiantly high up on the old stone lintel over their
school door in South Boston -- the situations encountered are wonderful
and often revealing about who we are. These along with the photographs
will be blogged, placed on Facebook and ultimately incorporated into a
book.

On the street, beneath the waning light, Manchester New Hampshire

In
addition, a video(s) of the journey will be made focusing on the
responses from those on the street and ensuing situations that develop.
Simply watching people react and sharing the expression of a joy is
delightful and highly contagious. This will entail a great deal of gathering footage and then hours of editing. I am doing this in conjunction with Patrick Russell of Ramble Productions a small but brilliant video company in Portland, Maine.

Social
media will be used to show where I am and where I expect to be along
the way. Check out and "like" The Hay Ball on Facebook here. I will gain input from followers and embrace the chance
meetings, challenges, and side quests that might arise. I can post where
I expect to be and seek through online interactions places to go and
people to meet.

Since
The Hay Ball will come off the car and it does roll fairly well, it can
engage the public in any number of ways. It can lazily roll about a
park, meander a farmers market, go to a fair or park itself outside a
museum. I may have it chained to a sign outside a local diner while I am
inside.

While
totally unscientific, and full of variables, one sees a place through a
very unique lens when traveling with a specticle. It reveals how open,
inquisitive, and social a place may be or how constrained. Likewise there will be a lot of
inward revelations -- I expect I will learn a bit about myself along the journey. In a
way it can show how comfortable we are collectively and individually
with ourselves and how this is extended to others. I am happy to say that Portland Maine, where I live, is
one of those places that is very comfortable with itself. I expect
Portland Oregon may be as well. I am sure there are many more such
places in between.

Alignment on the Eastern Prom.

Why is support needed?

This amount is based on
anticipated gas costs, traveling expenses, equipment costs, extensive video editing, and design work. There are also the production costs of producing the book, videos, photographs and printed artworks. I am
expecting an eight week trip, leaving in August and returning
mid-October and then working through materials in the months following.This is where much of the costs reside.

This journey
cannot happen without your support and I hope that each supporter also becomes a part of the
project. In effect the rewards are oriented toward inclusion. In
addition to receiving “rewards” supporters can follow the progress and interact with me through the Updates and Comments pages of the Project. I will be using the Updates page to send occasional video greetings and updates
along the way. Supporters can, through the Comments page, offer ideas, insights and
recommendations along the way as well. I would love to find from others what
they feel to be unique to the people and places along the route. As much
as possible I will seek to project this out as I go along.

THE ROUTE:

This
is a rough sketch of the expected route of the journey. It is intentionally rough and open to deviation. I most likely
will travel 2 - 250 miles a day (roughly 5 hours) and spend longer in a
few larger cities. I will combine traveling, creating and engaging
though out the day. It is certainly less about the getting there than the
going.

The Hay Ball's Route (approximately)

OTHER RECENT WORKS:

Below are a few images of my large scale bound and woven hay sculptures. More can be seen at my website: www.shaughnessyart.com.

“Cascade, Current and Pool: For the Vanquished Falls of the Presumpscot River” Portland Museum of Art

“New State Rising” Bates College Museum of Art Woven hay 18” high

Untitled graphite drawing 24" X 30"

FAQ

Have a question?
If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $20 or more
About $20

A signed postcard from the road sent directly to you. This will have a short note of appreciation and a beautiful image on the front. PLUS the acknowledgment and occasional short video greetings from the road.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $25 or more
About $25

WONDERMENT: CERTIFICATION OF AWE. This reward is the documented proof that you made someone smile, wonder and/or be totally perplexed. These will be one of a kind art works. They will be digital prints of one unique random expression of momentary joy and astonishment taken from an unidentified person in an undisclosed location across the USA. They will be signed and personalized to the sponsor, dated and given the official embossed Hay Ball seal. Each expression will be specifically authenticated for you or someone you know (They make great gifts!). You receive, via USPS, the satisfaction of knowing that you made someone somewhere embrace a bit of joyful bewilderment. PLUS the acknowledgment, an occasional short video greeting from the road.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $35 or more
About $35

A short DVD collection of random laughter and puzzled astonishment collected from each state visited. This will be signed and a limited edition specific to project supporters at 35.00 or more. PLUS the acknowledgment and occasional short video greetings from the road.

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Pledge $50 or more
About $50

A variety set of 10 blank postcards with collectible images from “Wonderment: The Hay Ball's Journey Across America” for your personal use. All cards will be signed by the artist. PLUS the acknowledgment, an occasional short video greeting from the road and the limited edition short DVD.

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Pledge $65 or more
About $65

A “Wonderment: The Hay Ball's Journey Across America” T-shirt with a Hay Ball graphic on the front and locations from The Hay Ball's Journey listed on the back. PLUS the acknowledgment, an occasional short video greeting from the road and the limited edition short DVD.

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Pledge $150 or more
About $150

A sculptural gesture. These are one of a kind permanent wall mounted works that are part of a larger ongoing series of works called “Small Gestures”. They are made of bound hay and bailing twine. This uses the idea of the gesture in both the noun and verb form. They are a means of exploring sculptural movement as well as a personal offering of appreciation. Dimensions are variable (approx. 18” – 24”) with mounting brackets. PLUS the acknowledgement, a card, and video greetings from the road.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $200 or more
About $200

The signed limited first edition artist book with an expanded DVD compilation of collected video documentations from the journey. PLUS the acknowledgment, an occasional short video greeting from the road and the limited edition short DVD.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $250 or more
About $250

The signed limited first edition artist book with an expanded DVD compilation of collected video documentations from the journey WITH ADDED BONUS of the artist skyped in for discussion and remarks on the project. PLUS the acknowledgment, an occasional short video greeting from the road and the limited edition short DVD.

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Pledge $325 or more
About $325

A choice of either (1) a signed archival, limited edition hand drawn print (approx. 18" x 24") from the journey, or (2) a signed archival, limited edition, large scale (approx. 18" x 24") photographic digital print taken at a location on the road. Images will be online and can be chosen by the supporters to be shipped in December (in time for Holiday giving). PLUS the acknowledgment, an occasional short video greeting from the road and the limited edition short DVD.

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Pledge $475 or more
About $475

BOTH the signed limited edition artist book with expanded DVD compilation from the $200 Reward AND the choice of either (1) the hand drawn print, or (2) the large scale photographic digital print from the $350 Reward. PLUS the acknowledgment, an occasional short video greeting from the road and the limited edition short DVD.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,200 or more
About $1,200

A day long ride with The Hay Ball originating out of beautiful Portland Maine and a copy of the resulting video footage. Meals at eating locations of local color are included (transportation to and lodging in Portland Maine excluded). PLUS the acknowledgment, card package, book, an occasional short video greeting from the road, a print or sculpture and the limited edition short DVD.

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Pledge $5,000 or more
About $5,000

A museum quality BOUND SCULPTURAL WORK derived from "Cascade Current and Pool". These are permanent works made up of multiple lines. Sizes will vary. Wall pieces will be approximately 3 - 4' high and/or wide and 12" - 16" deep. They can be easily mounted would be given a clear archival coating. Representative images may be found on my website. www.shaughnessyart.com They would be similar in style to recent works built for the Portland Museum of Art and Lehman College. PLUS an occasional short video greeting from the road and the limited edition short DVD.